Soundboard for stringed musical instruments.



R. OPPITZ. SOUNDBOARD FOR STRINGBD MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16. 1907.

PATENTED MAR. 3, 1908.

ROBERT OPPITZ, OF KOBLENZ, GERMANY.

SOUNDBOARD FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 3, 1908 Application filed February 16. 1907. Serial No. 357.662.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT OPPITZ, a subject of the King of Prussia, residing at Koblenz, Germany, have invented a new and Improved Soundboard for Stringed Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a soundboard for pianos and other stringed musical instruments provided on its back with a counterbridge, preferably following the direction of the string-bridge. This counter-bridge cuts through the ribs of the soundboard and is provided with a broad base which is, glued to the board, the divided ribs abutting closely against both sides of the bridge. In this way an intimate connection between the bridge and the ribs is insured, so that the etl ect of undivided ribs is obtained. Furthermore, the bridge will materially assist thesoundboard in. resisting the pressure of the strings, so that strength and durability is insured.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a plan of a soundboard embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a cross section on line AB, Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a cross section on line C-D, Fig. 1.

The counter-bridge a, is preferably curved and. is glued at its broad base to the soundboard 1), cutting through the ribs 0. Its form corresponds preferably to that of the string-bridge and it is so located that it fol lows essentially the direction of such bridge. Preferably the thickness of the counterbridge is varied to correspond to the thickness of the ribs which it intersects. The ribs 0, abut closely against the counter-bridge,

which is preferably chamfered at its longitudinal edges d, and f, the adjacent part of the ribs being correspondingly shaped. The varyinglength and strength of the strings,

' necessitates a corresponding variation in the strength of the soundboard. Provision can be made for this variation by means of the counter-bridge, which can be tapered at each end. Suitable dimensions for the counterbridge are approximately as follows:-If the counter-bridge is 20 cm. broad at its middle, it may ta er to a breadth of 8% cm. at each en(. The longitudinal edges cl, and f, are so chamfered that at those places where the ribs abut against them, the counter-bridge is only about 10 mm. thick, while the chamfering itself is about 45 mm. broad.

I claim:

1. A soundboard for stringed musical instruments provided .with a counter-bridge which diminishes in width towards the ends, and with ribs abutting against the sides of the bridge, substantially as specified.

2. A soundboard for stringed musical instruments provided with a counter-bridge which diminishes in width towards the ends, and with ribs abutting against the sides of the bridge, the thickness of the bridge being equal to the thickness of the abutting ribs, substantially as s ecified.

In witness w ereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT OPPITZ. Witnesses:

BESSIE F. DUNLAP, LOUIS VANDORN. 

